Ireland announces annual funding of €250 million to address global malnutrition crisis

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris alongside Minister of State with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond today announced a major commitment from Ireland to provide €250 million a year over the next four years to combat the global malnutrition crisis.

The announcement represents a significant increase on Ireland’s previous committed budget and is a further sign of Ireland’s commitment to work with international partners to tackle malnutrition and improve nutritional intake globally.

The commitment comes as the Nutrition for Growth Summit is held in Paris today. This summit is a major event aimed at harnessing international action in the fight against hunger.

The Tánaiste said:

“Almost three million children die each year as a result of hunger and malnutrition. That is a global scandal, and one that Ireland is not prepared to look away from. Today’s pledge will see Ireland increase its work globally to tackle malnutrition. At a time when conflicts are spreading, the climate crisis is worsening and the international aid system is under incredible strain, today’s announcement sends a powerful message of Ireland’s commitment to working collectively to tackle global crises.”

Minister for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond said:

“Hunger has a particular resonance with Irish people given our own history. Ireland is already considered a leader in global efforts to tackle hunger. Today’s announcement will strengthen that leadership. It will result in direct and life-saving support for people, particularly children, who face daily battles to get food on their plates.”

Today’s announcement will see Ireland commit €250 million annually in the fight against malnutrition over the next four years (2026-2029). These funds will be provided to a range of multilateral and civil society partners to support programmes aimed at tackling hunger and malnutrition.

The funding will build on Ireland’s work to date as a champion for nutrition. At the previous Nutrition for Growth Summit, in Tokyo in 2021, Ireland pledged €800 million over five years (2021-2025). The funding announced today will come from Ireland’s annual official development assistance budget.

Working with trusted partners, Ireland will deliver a wide range of development projects dedicated to improving nutrition and the health of millions of people. This work will specifically target efforts to tackle child malnutrition in regions facing significant hunger and humanitarian crisis.

The Nutrition for Growth Summit is a multi-stakeholder summit that drives ambitious financial and political commitments to the global fight against malnutrition.

The Nutrition for Growth Summit is a 4-yearly event linked to the hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It has been held every four years since 2013. Its purpose is to drive ambitious financial and political commitments to the global fight against malnutrition, and foster dialogue between organisations and countries working on the issue.

Ireland’s financial pledge will be delivered over four years as part of the government’s annual Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget. The 2025 Programme for Government includes a provision to increase Ireland’s ODA budget.

Ireland is recognised as a global leader in the fight against hunger and malnutrition, due to our financing and political advocacy on the issue. At the previous Nutrition for Growth Summit, in Tokyo in 2021, Ireland pledged €800 million over 5 years. Ireland will deliver on this previous commitment a year ahead of schedule.